Lifting, braking, and jacking system for vertical-shaft rotating machines



June 21, 1949. R. A. BAUDRY EI'AL 2,473,347

LIFTING, BRAKING, AND JACKING SYSTEM FOR VERTICAL-SHAFT ROTATING MACHINES Filed June 2, 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet l See nyz WITNESSES: INVENTORS WAM ATTORNEY June 21, 1949. BAUDRY ET AL 2,473,847

LIFTING, BRAKING, AND JACKING SYSTEM FOR VERTICAL-SHAFT ROTATING MACHINES Filed June 2, 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 l 119mm. T h

61 JICK... 60 i qa "A wmEsszs; V INVENTORS M71 lier'z fi'. Baudry an d Paula? Heller:

ATTORNEY Patented June 21, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE G. BRAKING, AND IAGKING SYSTEM FOR VERTICAL-SHAFT ROTATING MA- OHINES Application June 2, 1947, Serial No. 151,928

18 Olailns.

1 Our invention relates to improvements in a semi-automatic lifting, braking and jacking system for vertical water-wheel generators, or other vertical-shaft rotating machines. Vertical waterwheel generators are large machines in which the rotor-member is positioned by suitable guidebearing-means, and in which the weight of the rotor-member is supported by a. thrust-bearing, comprising a. runner carried by the rotor-inembor,

a plurality oi thrust-bearing shoes carried by the for braking. and the other for jacking.

For braking purposes. air was fed into the Jacks, at a. moderate pressure of the order 01' 100 p. s. i. (pounds per square inch), so as to press the brake-shoes up against the brake-ring with a pressure which is much too small to support the weight oi the rotor-member. but which nufices to bring the rotor-member to standstill and to hold it at standstill against any leakagedrag of the turbine to which it is connected. This braking-operation has heretofore been inaugurated alter first letting the machine deceierate, of its own accord, down to half-speed, or some other predetermined speed intermediate between lull-speed and standstill, thus minimizing the braking-burden.

For jacking purposes, oil has hei'etoiore been led into the lacks, by means a high-pressure oil-pump, which is capable at delivering oil slowly, but at a very great pressure, such as 2000 p. s. 1., which produces enough lifting-iorce to 'support the weight of the rotor-member and lift draulic Jacks, which had been in use as brakes. Then the air in the system had to be flushed out with oil, after which the jacks were iiited by using the oil-pump to pump oil into their cylinders. As the brake-shoes were some halt-inch below the brake-runner, in the down-position oi the jacks, and as the oil-pump supplied oil at only a slow rate, being deslsned for pressure rather than speed. this jack-lilting operation consumed considerable time. before even the brake-shoes came into contact with the brake-ring for the purpose of lifting the some.

Alter the completion or the inspection and servicing operations, the rotor-member had to be slowly lowered until its runner rested on the thrust-bearing shoes. and this had to be done slowly so that the great weight 0! the rotormemher would not fall upon the runner with a blow. This required the manual manipulation of a needle-type exhaust-valve, to let the oil flow out of the hydraulic lacks at a very slow rate, until the weight of the rotor-member had been taken over by the runner, after which the exhaustvalve could be opened wide to let the brake-shoes fall away from the brake-ring as rapidly as possible. Finally, the oil had to be flushed out or the hydraulic jacks with air, so that the system would be in readiness for a braking-operation. After the workmen had assured themselves that everything was in proper shape, they had to climb away (mm the machine. in order to finally clear the machine for the next operation alter the jacking operation.

The object of our invention is not only to make certain improvements in these braking and Jacking operations of the braking and lacking means, but also to make it possible to utilize the same braking and jacking means to quickly and automatically (or semi-automatically) perform a preluhricating operation, in which the jacks are used, at the end or a. period of shutdown of the generator. to momentarily lift the rotor-member so that its runner is raised slightly out of contact with the thrust-bearing shoes, and then lowered again. so that is him of oil would be trapped between the runner and the thrustbearing shoes. This film will not become pressed out, from between the runner and the shoes, for some considerable time. so that, if the generator is started up within, say, thirty minutes alter the film-forming operation, the runner would he supported on a illm of oil during the initial starting-operation Our new prelubricating oporation can be completed in something like two minutes, as contrasted with the thirty to iorty- 3 five minutes which were required in the previously known jacking operations for inspecting and servicing the thrust-bearinea.

Heretotore, many large horizontal-shaft electric motors havc-heen provided with oikpressure means; it: epbnineomnndeicpressure. under the Journal, when starting. in order to reduce the startingfiction forces and keep the currentinrush to a. minimum. This feature has. greatly reduced the strain on the iiiurnel-beirings-of such large horizontel-sliatt'motbrs. Oil-pressure startingis not necessary. on water-wheel generstore, so far as the startine -irictionds'iioncemed, since a water-wheel senierhtoi -has limpiemower available to brake ewey the i'roni'staridstill. Furthermore, the installation means for applying oil, under pressure, touch ofi-theseverel tilting pods or thrust-bearing shoes is much too complicated for very senerai use in vertical-elicit machines, although it"has been done on a few verticeishiut-iiiotors wherefl-low starting-torque: is fs i done street cr me liipplic dtioii of oiI'J- un'der pres-- sure; toa'. =hfifliig suflhoei ea a; preliminary to stdrtliig' th=kifbfibriied mfiohihe dtterh p'eriod oi -eliiitdfiimt is; '-ot-iiohi=eei='toiifovidean oiisfllm' Ion which *the hdilbafitiii-ildes kinrr i'ideg until -the 'ttai'iiin'nt or ei'kif'eed wliicii is sumoientlyzhigh {for tne sumses te m-sc am -mninta2iu on oil- I nnuar tn'emi wfieesen oi the oiI di-essins onli eiidiihb'le hitin'g nieenshihich some tie-used. 3 for estihlinhing streamlined-nines 'the bear "'prehticitlif out -oi the question: andcut of pro fpoftion to'- its 'iinnoi'tencepso thalt'it was not generallynsedoreven-preposed by'cnyone rior to ourselves-sq far its wen-scum.

The 'pi'voted pod'thrust-lieering has airexbeilubricitedg'endmiaintiin'ed. At'the' normal or arenas-speed; the beii'rinz suriaossare separated f" present invention isnot' usem'tne' behind-runner is not"cii.'riied' on on oil 'nimnntii aispeed' of twenty thirty R. P; M. is reeched, or even until a still hieh'efspwd is reached. it"the oil is hot or of poor oiliness, or ii the bearing-surfaces are not'iu'fliciently-smooth and true." The smoothhas: of the be'aLrin'z-surieces and the oiliness of the -lubricant both appreciably improve-with time.

' When a. water-wheel generator is first placed in service, it requires certain dry-out treatments during which the machine may'be'suhmitted to many starts at-high temperatures, thusimposing a particulerly-heevy duty outhe-besrings at a. -when they ere'lecs'tebietewithstand this duty. -Our present invention is particularly-ap- Diicable tothefirst fifty crane-hundred starts of a watcr-wheel-eenerator; but-our present inventlon is'so sinrpidthatitsuse is probably instii0 tothe rotor-lifting operations. as well as utilizin thepressurizdzliquid to fill the hydraulic Jacks during the braking-operation, so that the hydreulicujacks. are-always filled with oil or other :ziiquideasrdlsidnguished from air. 5 Btili iurther -obiects of our invention are to provide two'- separate piping-connections, in ad- ;dition..to-thepump-connection. between the hydra'ulic iecks and the liquid-reservoir, one oi -thesepiping-connections including a, flow-limiting 510 means which limits the return-liquid flow without requiring-eminute adjustment 01.8. valveior this purpose,-- while the other;'- pipinarccnnection is utilized: toprovide :the necessary fast liquid-flow, --'--either=-.to' or from-the Jack-cylinders; during dif- *iecenbportions-ci the-.operations.,.as-wiil be sub- -sequentlxdescribed.

'A stillrurther object of. ourinvention is to pro- :vide. an-adequatesystemni sisnal-lights,-whereby -:the-:.condition of end docking app is.- no :retusis-indiceted-atalltimes.

-With.-. the. foregoing .and. otherobjects in view, one invention .consists in. the systems. --combinations; apparatus. parts; and methods oi design and operatiomhereineiter described andclaimed, -andr illustrated in the. accompanying: drawing.

wherein:

Figure -1-is a much simpiiflechend somewhat -diagra.mmatic. crossesectionei view of he]! or a water-twheclgenerator embodying. our invention:

Fig. 2.-ismummified-diagrammatic view oi the hydreuiimsystem. uncle-simplified schematic diagram 0t. an. exemplary electrical system, em- -hodying our invention.

Asshownin Figure 1, .thevertical-shatt rotat- H: ing machine =to which our invention isnpplicebla Mindy be. dime water-wheel. generator having a -stetor-member .I .and a. rotor-member 2.. In the .JHusti-eted type. oi machine, therotor-meinber is fleuspended from. its- -top, by means of a thrustbedtime-which comprises arunner 4, carried by v-the rotorrmeinber, -a,..plurality-- otthrusimbtaring shoes 6,..carried .hy.-the-.-stetorvmcmber and en- ;-'-8a8in8 -the-runner,-end-anoilachamber B for ubricating-oil 1-, in which seidthrust-bearing shoes and at leestithe lower. suriece oitherunner are. Immersed. Upper and-lower w de-bearings 8 end 9 are also used, for positioningthe-rotor- H member 2.

M Abrakingewndejaoking,equipinent is also pro- --Vid8d,-.1188,1 thelowerr-periphery oi therotor- .-member 2, comprising a brake-ring H, carried by thesrotoi memberrend a.--plurality;of hydraulic decks orshrake-cylindersqBcl to- 3GB, carried by the-statorvmember and-having brake-shoes I3, on their-tops. in e-position to engage. the brake .-ring ll.- in nucleated-position of. theijooks or brokewpistons Mi. Only -.one oithe hvdreulic-jecks 01' nbrake-cylinders B01 .is shown in thcqdingi ammatic sectional View of Fig. i: all eight of them are..shown howevenln thez. d iagramlnatic hydrsulicssystem' representation inFig. 2.

In. accordance with .our' invention, we -provide aahydraulieeystemcwhich isdiagrammaticall '"-=represented inhthe upper-portion of Fig. 2,;An

air-tight oil-reservoir I6 is provided, containing a supply of oil or other liquid I! for operating the hydraulic jacks. We also utilize an air-suppl means, which is diagrammatically represented by an air-supply pipe IB, which is associated with air-piping IQ, for supplying air to the oil-reservoir l 6 at a relatively low pressure, such as 100 p. s. i., which is suitable for forcing oil into the hydraulic jacks or brake-cylinders BCI and B08 for pressing up the brake-shoes l3 with a force suitable for braking the rotor-member 2, but not nearly suflicient to lift said rotor-member.

We also utilize a high-pressure liquid-pump P (Fig. 2), which is included in a liquid-conducting pipe-connection 2| between said reservoir l6 and said hydraulic jacks or brake-cylinders BCI to BCB, the pump P being operated to force liquid, at a relatively slow rate, but capable of producing a very high liquid-pressure, say, 2000 p. s. 1., when the flow of liquid is restrained, thus pressing up the brake-shoes 13 (Fig. 1), with a force sufficient to lift the rotor-member 2, so that the bearing-runner 4 lifts up away from the thrustbearing shoes 5. The pump P, as shown in Fig. 2, is provided with a suitable motive-means, illustrated as a three-phase motor M, the energization of which is controlled by a contactor-switch CS.

In addition to the pump-connection 2|, we provide at least two other different liquid-conducting pipe-connections between the reservoir l5 and the hydraulic jacks or brake-cylinders BC! to 308. These liquid-conducting connections include a slow-flow connection 22, which includes a flow-control means or fixed flow-resistance 22R for providing for only a slow liquid-flow suitable for gently lowering the bearing-runner 4 (Fig, 1) onto the thrust-bearing shoes 5, after a liftingoperation. The liquid-conducting connections between the reservoir and the jacks also include a fast-flow connection 23, for providing for a fast-flow of liquid, in either direction, at different times during the operation of our equipment, as will be subsequently described.

Our braking and jacking equipment (Fig. 2) also includes various valves, such as a normally closed valve VI in the slow-flow connection 22, which is provided with power-operated openingmeans, shown, in Fig. 2, as an electromagnet or solenoid-coil, which can be properly identified by designating it with the same letter-designation, Vl, which is applied to the valve as a whole.

We also utilize a specially constructed checkvalve V2, in the fast-flow connection 23. It is provided with a ball 24, which, in its checking position, closes on a valve-seat 25 so as to prevent liquid-flow in the releasing direction, that is, from the hydraulic jacks to the oil-reservoir IS. The check-valve V2 is provided, however, with a special operating-pin 26, which is illustrated as being pressed upwardly, against the underside of the ball 24, by a compression-spring 21, so as to tend to open the valve. The valve-opening pressure of the spring 21 may be counteracted and overcome by a suitable power-energized operating-means, illustrated as an electromagnet or solenoid-coil which can be properly identified by the same letter-designation, V2, which is applied to the valve as a whole. The valve-opening spring 21 applies an opening-pressure which is suiiicient to open the check-valve V2 against an oil-pressure equivalent to the air-pressure of the air-supply means i8, but not sufficient to open said check-valve against a liquid-pressure high enough to cause the jacks to raise the rotormember.

We also provide an air-valve V3, which is included in the air-piping l9, and which is normally set to exhaust air from the reservoir It to the atmosphere, at 23, as shown. The airvalve V3 is provided with power-energized opening-means for setting this valve so as to supply air to the reservoir it from the air-supply source or pipe l8, this opening-means being illustrated in the form of an electromagnet or solenoid-coil which is properly identifiable by means of the same letter-designation, V3, which identifies the air-valve as a whole. In order to provide a source of braking-energy in the event of a failure of the electrical or other power-means for actuating th air-valve V3, we preferably provide, also, a hand-operated valve V6, connected in parallel with the power-operated valve V3, so that air can be supplied to the oil-reservoir It by the hand operated valve, if necessary.

It should be understood, of course, that the slow-flow valve Vi is biased to return automatically to its closed position, when it is deenergized, and that the air-Valve V3 is biased to return automatically to its exhaust setting or position when deenergized.

We also provide, as a safety-measure, a reliefvalve V5 for limiting the pressure which can be built up in the oil-reservoir l 6. said limiting pressure being slightly above the air-pressure.

We also provide suitable means, illustrated in the form of check-valve V-CK, in the pumpconnection 21 (Fig. 2), for preventing a reverseiicw of oil, in the releasing" direction, from the jacks to the oil-reservoir It. This makes it possible for the workman, in the jacking" operation, as subsequently described, to shut off the pump-motor M when the bearing-runner 4 (Fig. 1) has been raised a desired amount, in which case, the pump-connection check-valve VCK will hold the high-pressure oil in the hydraulic jacks or brake-cylinders BCi to BC8 long enough for the insertion of suitable blocks (not shown) for supporting the weight of the rotor-member 2.

We also utilize various indicating or measur-- ing devices for automatically responding to the positions or conditions of various parts of the equipment.

Thus, in the hydraulic system which is shown diagrammatically in Fig. 2, are included a plurality of brake-limit switches BLI to BLB, associated with the several hydraulic jacks or brake cylinders BCI to B03, to close when the brakepistons are near their lowermost positions, say, within one-fourth of an inch of their lowest positions, assuming a one-half-inch brake-travel from the lowermost position to a point where the brake-shoes it, in Fig. 1, engage the brake ring I I.

As is shown in Fig. 2, we also Provide an oilpressure switch PS, which closes a make-contact PS, whenever the oil-pressure in the hydraulic jacks or brake-cylinders increases to a predetermined value which is intermediate between the brakingpressure of the air-supply IB and the lifting-pressure which is necessary to actually lift the rotor-member 2 in Fig. 1. The pressurecontact PS is thus closed when the rotor-member 2 is lifted. When the rotor-member has been lowered to its normal position, in which the bearing-runner l rests on the thrust-bearing shoes 5, the high lifting-pressure of, say, 2000 p. s. i., in the hydraulic jacks or brake-cylinders BCI to B08 in Fig. 2, quickly drops, as the oil continues tube drained or released Ircnvthe jacks. When this oil-pressure is loweredltma value of say 25.0 p. s. 1., the springepressure ofttheopening-spring. 21:01- the rash-flow check, valve V2 overcomes the oil-pressure and opens this check-valve V2; thus thereafter. very quick+ ly draining the oiLout of the hydraulic Jacks or brake-cylinders BC]. to. BC8; At an: oil 1. pressure of say 200 p. s. 1., while this oilisdraining, the pressure-switch. contact PSi drops open, performs ing a controleswitchiunction which 'willlbrc.suii sequently described. The oil-pressure at which the DrEASSTIIEFSWitCh contact PS is made may-be oftho'orderoffiilfi p. s. i.

All of: the. hydraulic equipment. whichtis shown in Fig' 2, exceptthe hydraulic jacks or brakingcylinders Bill to EUR, and the two. airwalves V3 and V4; is, or. may be, mounted. in theapit underneath the generator, on aisuitah'le platform 31, as diagrammatically indicated byra' rectangle 32 in Fig. 1, this pit-mounted equipment; being indicated in Fig. 2 by adotted-line enclosure 32.

Asshown at the top of Fig. 1, the generator is provided with two underspeed switches, US-B and-US.5, which close their respectivecontacts when the speed of'the rotor-member 'zdromzto or below the values for which the respective switches are set. The. underspeedswitchxUS+-B is a zero-speed switch, which closes its, contact US-Jl: when the generator is substantially; at standstill; The undcrspeed switch US-.5 is: a half-speed switch, which closes itscontact'US.5 when the speed of the generator slows down, during the stopping-operation, to half-speedvor to is some other predetermined speed intermediate between the iullspeed and standstill.

As shown at an intermediate point on the gen orator-shaft 33 in Fig. 1, the generator isalso provided, in accordance with our invention; with three upper-limit switches UL-.3, UL--.1 and UL:-.8, which control their respective contacts, witha' snap-action, when the rotor rises more than the respective amounts for which the soy,- eral limit-switches are set, above the normal on crating rotor-position in which the bearing? runner 4 rests on the thrust-bearingshoes 5. The first upper-limit switch UL-.3 opens a back-contact 29 and closes a make-contact when the rotor rises .3 inch, or other similarvalue (but frequently less than this), or any value suitable for making sure that lubricating oil'lhas flowed over the tops of all of the thrust-bearing shoes 5. The second limit-switch UL.-I opens at a 37-inch rise of the rotor, or other valuecom venient for the Serviceman who has to inspect or service the thrust-bearing. The thirdlimitswitch UL.8 is a safety-switch for: operatmglf either of. the: other. twoupper-limit switches should fail to operate, this safety-switchopening its contact UL.8 at a .8-inch rise of the rotor.

In the illustrated form of embodiment. of our invention, as shown more particularly: in. the central and iower portions of Fig. 2', we'provide electrical control-equipment for our apparatus. We have illustrated apushbutton control-system, utilizing two control panels. One control-panel 35 carries a two-position lift-switch pushhmton US, for controlling the lift-operation for the automatlc-or semi-automatic prelubricatingprocess, and a two-position brake-switch pushbutton BS, for controlling thehralrlng-operation. This con trol-paneliiis (or may be) mounted to stand on the floor 36 of the generating'stavtion, asshown inFigl 1. The control-panel 35 alsocarrics the hand operated emergency air-valve VI; as indi- 8 cstwsimddgi 11 like autbmaticuairsvalve'vfi is,- or mags menientlyz'bo; mounted on the back 7 of theiicontroiepaneh'w close to" the emergencyvalvelvs; ina position which does not show. in Fig; 1;,

Om: (yr-associated with; the control-panel" 3i is-alsman indicator panel'fi which carries an when imam uligrlrt: A, three. red indicatorlights B1; three green. indicator-lights G, and suitalalezlogendsmhereior, as mllfbe'subsequently clescribed;

A second controlpanelm 'ofEi'g. 2 is a jackingpamci'; iwhichisi preferably mounted, as shown inilrlignirinzthe. under: partof the generator, on a maiafocmfl' on which the workman stands when he iss iniai position-towatchior inspect the-hydmulicctjackss or: brake-cylinders B6! to BUB. ThimJackingepamzLcan-ies a two-positionheyoontrolleeLbutton. for controlling: the use of' thnumihingstatlcn or panel 3!, a two-position jacking! pnshlmtton JZB---J, for controlling the jackingeoperation, and a 1mm position :releasing pushhuttcn for releasing the high-pressure-oil; andsiowenng' the rotor-member. at the commpletionioi theme oi the jacking equipment.

As'zshnwnl in .Fig. :2; exemplary electrical connectionszars-shovm by" schematic or across-theline diagram. The various electrically operated relaysawiiich .areiused; are-each givenladistinctiverlcttenedesignatinn the same letter designation i being anpdicdf to" the operating coil and to all o.=thezcontacts=.of eachvrelay, as a co-nvention for indicasmg: the" cooperative relaticnship'bctwcemthcrvam'ious. parts ofeach-reiay. In addition the connections between i the 1 various sop aratedlpartsofz each relay are further: indicated diaarazmmasicaily by arrows orrdotted lines, as a: further "convention: for illustrating the 'mechanilali connections between the various relaycoilssland theiri associated contacts. All of the switchesand. relays are shown in theirdeenergizod :pcsitions.

In..Eig-.. thecfirst line: orcircuit I of the schematic connections indicates theenergization of an: auxiliary key-controiledreiay XK inzthe on? position of the hey-controlled pushbutton KB -Ji atthe. jacking station. The second line, fl ofitheeschematic connections in Fig. 2 shows the useotthe on position' of thebrake-switch pushbutton BS to-energize the. oneratingmoilof an auxiliary braking-relay XB from the-positive bus (+0; ,in series with :a .back contact XL. of an auxiliarylifting rel ay' XL, 3. .circuitwonductor i2, andsa back contact XK-of the auxiliary key-controlledrelay XK,and thence to the negative bus Tliel-thirddine, M, oi. the schematicconnectionsimifl'ig. zshowslthe useof the zero-speed underspeedswitch US-lLto energize a. conductor 45,.from.the. positive terminal (4-) of a directcurrenLrelayv-source. The. conductor 45 is used, in series withthefion position ofthe lift-switch puslibutton-switch LS, to energizetheoperatingcoil in; ofvthelauxiiiary lifting-relay XL,.i series with a back-contact XB of-the auxiliarybrakingrelay this energizing-circuit being completed at thepreviously, mentioned conductor 42;

The conductorfliis also used, in a branchcIrcuitWJto energize the two parallel-connected coilsCS andXi; in series with the safety limitswitch HIP-K," a conductor 46, a back-contact XL, .a' conductor 41, and the .back-contactn of the firsvup'per-llmit sw1tcnUL-.3'; and'thence to the'previously mentioned conductor 42. The operating coil' CS' actuates the previously men- JB-J, and the upper-limit contact UL-J. to aconductor 48. and thence on through a makecontact KK, to the negative terminal (-l of the direct-current relaying-source.

The fourth and flith lines the schematic connections in Fig. 2 show two parallel-connected make-contacts XL and KB utilized to energize a conductor 52 from the positive bus and this conductor is connected in series with the hair-speed switch UB-.5. and the operating-coil W of the air-switch V3, the circuit of which is completed at the previously mentioned conductor 12.

The sixth line 58 of the schematic connections in Fig. 2 shows the use oi the pressure-switch P5, in series with the operating-coil Vi oi the slow-flow valve Vi, to energize a. conductor 54, which continues on, through two serially connected back-contacts XK and KL, to the previously mentioned conductor 42. The circuit from the conductor 54 also extends on. through a branch-circuit 54' and the "on" position of the releasing pushbutton RB-J. to the previousiy described circuit-conductor MI.

The seventh line. 55, of the schematic connections in Fig. 2 shows the energizstion or the amber indicator-lamp A. in series with the makecontact 8|! oi the first upper-limit switch UL-.3,

this energizing-circuit extending between the positive bus and the aforesaid conductor 6!.

The eighth line. 58, of the schematic connections in Fig. 2 shows the use of the eight brake-limit switches RM to BBB, connected in series between the positivehus and a conductor 51, which continues on, through the opcrating-coil X2 01' an auxiliary relay K2, the circult oi which is completed at the negative station-bus (-l.

The conductor 51 is also utilized to energize the positive terminal 51' of the three green indlcator lights G, for indicating a brakes down" condition during a. lifting-operation, a brakeoperation, and jack-operation. respectively. The lift-operation green light G has its negative circuit 58 completed, in series with a back-contact KB, which is connected to the previously do scribed conductor 41. The brake-operation green light G has its negative circuit 59 completed through a. back-contact m, which is connected to the aforesaid conductor 41. The Jack-opera.- tion green light G has its negative circuit 80 connected to the previously mentioned conductor 48.

The ninth line, ill, or the schematic connections in Fig. 2 shows the use of a hack-contact X2 to energize the positive terminal B2 of the three brakes up" red signal-lights R, the negatlve circuits of which are connected to the previously described green-light negative-circuits 58. 59 and 60, respectively, which are energized so as to indicate a hit-operation, a brake'cperation. and a Jack-operation, respectively.

The last two direct-current circuits of Fig. 2 show the use of two parallel-connected make- 10 contacts X2 and XI to energize the operating coil VI oi the special fast-flow chock-valve V2.

The operation 01 our invention may be summerired as follows.

Our invention makes it possible for the brakins-system. or thebroking and jacking means, cat a vertical-shaft water-wheel generator, to perform any one oi! the three required functions of lifting, braking and lacking.

The lifting-operation is a prelubricating operation in which the rotor 2 is raised approximately one-quarter of an inch, by means of the brakes or Jacks, and the rotor is then lowered, beiore' starting the machine. This permits the iormstion of an oil-film between the thrustbearlng shoes 5 and the runner l. Ii the 'machine is started immediately therearter, or say within half an hour, this prelubricating him will be present, at the very first instant of starting, thus decreasing the possibility oi bearing-damage or bearing-iailure, and also reducing the required starting-torque.

During the braking-operation, the brake-shoes I8 are pressed against the brake-ring ll under a relatively small oil-pressure which is maintained by the air-supply means or pipe IS. The brakes are commonly applied after the rotormember has slowed down. of its own accord, to about halt-speed. during a stopping-operation. The brakes stop therotatlon or the rotor in a short period of time. thus avoiding prolonged bearing-surface damage, as a result of poor lubrication at slow speeds. After-the generator has stopped. the brake-shoes are usually left applied, in order to prevent further rotation as a result of gate-leakage in the control oi the water-wheel or turbine (not shown). to which the generator is connected.

The jacking-operation permits raising the motor seven-tenths to three-quarters of an inch, orany desired smaller amount, to iacilitate repairs and inspection at the thrust-bearing.

Before examining in detail the several opera.- tlons oi litting. braking and looking, it is desirable to note that certain operations are automatic, or inherent in the oil-pressur conditions which are prevailing in the brake-cylinders, or inherent in the hrake-position or in the setting oi the several brake-limit switches BLI to 3L8, which are closed when the several hydraulic Jacks or brake-pistons H are near their lowermost positions, or not more than, say, onequarter of an inch above their lowest possible positions. In our braking system. or our braking and locking means. the brakes or jacks never return altogether to their lowermost positions. but they are always filled with oil. and locked or retained in this oil-filled condition by the operation of the brake-limit switches BLI to 3L8, which are closed when the brakes are down as far as they are expected to go, in our system, thus normally energizing t e operating-coil oi the auxiliary relay X2. which, in turn, keeps its make-contact closed. in the energizing-circuit oi the restraining or closing coil V2 oi the special fast-flow check-valve V2. causing this valve to resume its normal check-valve function wherein it shuts ofl against liquid-flow in the "re1easlng direction. that is, in the direction from the jacks to the oil-reservoir ill.

Another automatic function which is inherent in the apparatus is the pressure-switch control of the slow-flow valve VI. This valve is normally in its closed position. and it can not he opened except when the pressure-responsive switch PS tion of the lifting button LS, its back-contact XL closes, in the circuit 54-42, and energizes the operating-coil VI of the slow-flow valve VI, thus opening said valve, this operation being possible because the pressure-responsive switch PS is now closed. At the same time, the deenergization of the auxiliary lifting relay XL opens its make-contact XL in the circuit 52, and thus deenergizes the air-valve V3, which automatically returns to its setting in which it exhausts air from the oil-tank I6 to the atmosphere.

Oil thereupon flows through the slow-flow connection 22, in the releasing" direction, that is, from the hydraulic jacks or brake-cylinders to the oil-reservoir l5, and this operation continues until the bearing-runner 4 comes gently to rest on the thrust-bearing shoes 5. As soon as this happens, the oil-pressure quickly relieves itself, in the hydraulic jacks, because the oil is continuing to escape or flow out, through the slow-flow valve Vi. When the oil-pressure in the hydraulic jacks is reduced to a predetermined intermediate value, say, 250 p. s. i. intermediate between the lifting-pressure of say 2000 p. s. i. and the braking-pressure of say 100 p. s. i., the valveopening spring 27, of the fast-flow check-valve V2 overcomes the pressure of the oil in the hydraulic jacks or brake-cylinders, thus opening said valve V2, and thus providing a fast-flow connection which quicklydrains the oil out of the brake-cylinders. Almost immediately after the opening of the fast-flow valve V2, the pressure-switch PS opens, at say 200 p. s. i., thus deenergizing the slow-flow valve VI and causing it to close.

The draining of oil from the brake-cylinders continues until the brake-cylinders have been returned to a sufliciently low position to reclose all of the brake-limit switches BL! to BL8, which thereupon energize the auxiliary relay X2; and through its make-contact X2 the restraining or closing coil V2 is energized, which overpowers the valve-opening spring 21, and causes the valve V2 to return to its normal check-valve function, which checks any further return of Oil from the brake-system to the oil reservoir I6. In this manner, oil is kept trapped in the brake-system at all times, so that it is always in readiness for hydraulic operation, by the application of oilpressure, as distinguished from gas-operation, or 1 operation in which considerable volumes of a compressible medium such as gas are entrapped.

For the braking-operation, the brake-switch pushbutton BS is depressed. This energizes the auxiliary braking-relay XB, the result of which is the closure of the make-contact X8 in the energizing-circuit 52 of the air-valve V3. This energizing-circuit can not be completed, even though the auxiliary brake-relay XB is energized, unless and until the speed of the rotormember 2 is less than half-speed or other intermediate speed for which the underspeed switch USP-.5 is set. This is for the purpose of preventing a brake-damaging application of the brakes when the rotor-member is going too fast. When the energizing-circuit 52 is closed by the simultaneous closure of the make-contact KB and the underspeed switch US--.5, the operatlug-coil V3 of the air-valve is energized, thereby causing said air-valve to move to its setting in which air is delivered, under its constantly maintained IUD-pounds pressure. to the oil-tank 16. This puts the oil I! under the same lilo-pounds pressure, and forces the oil through the checkvalve V2 in the fast-flow connection 23, thus iii 14 applying it directly to the brake-cylinders BC! to BCB, and applying the brakes. The brakes remain applied as long as air-pressure continues to be supplied to the oil-reservoir 18.

At the very beginning of the application of the brakes, the restraining or closing coil V2 oi the specialiy constructed fast-flow check-valve V2 is energized, so that the said valve V2 is closed, or in its normal check-valve condition which prevents liquid-flow in the releasing direction, that is, from the brake-cylinders to the oil-reservoir, while permitting oil-flow from the reservoir to the brake-cylinders. The air-pressure in the oil-reservoir Hi thus causes the oil 11 to flow in the direction which is permitted by the checkvalve V2 thus flowing into the brake-cylinders and starting to raise the same. Almost immediately, these cylinders break their brake-limit contucts BLi to 3L8, and as soon as the first one of these contacts opens, the auxiliary relay X2 is rieenergized, thus, in turn, deenergizing the restraining-coil V2 of the check-valve V2, thus causing the valve-opening spring 21 to open the check-valve wide, thus reducing the resistance to the flow of oil from the oil-reservoir l6 to the brake-cylinders BCI to BCH, resulting in a fast application of the brakes.

To release the brakes, the brake-switch pushbutton BS is returned to its off position, the airvalve V3 is deenergized and returns to its normal setting in which air is exhausted from the oiltank is to the atmosphere. This permits the oil to drain from the brake-cylinders to the oil-reservoir l6, because the restraining or closing coil V2 oi the check-valve V2 is deenergized whenever the brake-shoes are in their braking position, and hence the valve-opening spring 21 keeps this valve V2 open, under these conditions, because the 0ilpressure in the brake-shoes, during braking-conditions, is too small to keep the ball 24 of the valve V2 closed against the pressure of the spring 21. Oil thus drains quickly out of the brake-cyL inders, permitting the brake-pistons It to lower until all eight of the brake-pistons have fallen sufficiently to close the eight brake-limit switches BL! to BLH, whereupon the auxiliary relay X2 is again energized, and this again energizes the re-- straining or closing coil V2 of the check-valve V2, thus preventing further drainage of oil out of the brake-cylinders.

For the jacking-operation, the jacking-station 3'! must be unlocked, through the use of the keycontrolled pushbutton KBJ, which locks out, or renders ineflective. the lifting and braking buttons LS and BS, and sets up the circuit 48 which is necessary for energizing the jack-station jacking and release buttons JE-J and RB-J.

A jacking-operation is initiated by depressing the jacking button JB- J. if the rotor-member is substantially at standstill, the zero-speed. switch US-() will be closed, and the actuation of the jack-button JB-J will immediately energize the contactor-switch CE; which energizes the pumpmotor M. In man cases. as illustrated in the exemplary form of embodiment of our invention which is shown in the drawing, a fast elevation of the brake-shoes i3, up to the point where they come into contact with the brake-ring H, is not desired, during the jacking-operation, because the workman at the jacking station can profiitahly employ the intervening time b inspecting the equipment which is visible at the jacking station. For this reason. we have not shown our jackingbutton JB-J in a circuit which would result in the simultaneous energization of the air-valve 17 which immediately puts out the second green light, in the brake pair, by reason of the opening 01' the back-contact XL in the light-circuit 59. This leaves only the top green light G illuminated, but almost immediately, as the brakes first begin to rise, one or more of the brake-limit switches BLI to BL8 opens, extinguishing the top green light G and illuminating the top red light R, of the lift pair of indicator-lights, thus indicating that the brakes are up, durin a lifting-cycle,

and that the generator is not in a safe condition for being started. When the rotor-member 2 of the generator is finally lifted, at the end of this lifting-operation, the first upper-limit switch UL--.3 not only deenergizes the pump-motor M,

as previously explained, but simultaneously extinguishes the red lift-indicating lamp R and illuminates the amber lamp A, thus indicating that the rotor is up, during the lifting-cycle, and

telling the station-operator that the rotor can be lowered again, as soon as he is ready to start the generator.

When the station-operator is ready, the liftingbutton LS is moved to its off position, and the amber light A quickly goes out, as soon as the rotor-member is lowered far enough to return the limit-switch UL-.3 to its initial position. When this happens, the two top red lights R, in both the lift-indicating pair and the brakeindicating pair, are illuminated, because both of the pushbuttons LS and BS are now open. This condition continues until the brake-pistons M are in the lowest positions which are permitted, in our apparatus, at which time the closure of the eight brake-limit switches BLI to BLS will result in the extinguishment of the two top red lights R and the energization of the two top green lights G, thus informing the station-operator that a prelubricating film has been provided on the thrust-bearing shoes, and that the machine is therefore ready for immediate starting. The station-operator is then expected to start the water wheel generator, and if he does this within a reasonable time, such as, within half an hour,

there will be an adequate film on the thrustbearing shoes to protect the thrust-bearing, and to keep down the required starting-torque, during the initial period of the starting of the rotormember 2. During the normal operation of the machine, the top two green lights G stay illuminated during the entire time.

When a braking-cycle is put into effect, by the depression of the braking-button BS, the top green light G, of the lift-indicating means, is immediately extinguished, by the opening of the back-contact X3 in the light-circuit 58. Nothin further happens unless or until the speed of the generator drops below the half-speed value or other value necessary to actuate the underspeed switch US.5 in the control circuit 52, whereupon the braking-cycle actually begins, and the brakes are activated. As soon as one or more of the brakes moves far enough to open its brakelimit switch, the brake-indicating green light G is extinguished and the brake-indicating red light R is illuminated, indicating that the brakes are on, or just going on. The brake-indicating red light R stays on, as long as the brakes are on, whether the rotor-member of the machine is being brought to standstill, or is being kept at standstill by the brakes,

When the brakes are to be released, the brake push-button BS is moved to its "oh position, and the auxiliary braking-relay XB is immediately deenergized, closing its back-contact XB in the lighting-circuit 58 and causing the liftindicating red light R to be illuminated, in addition to the brake-indicating red light R. The brakes immediately start their dropping-out operation, as has already been explained, and as soon as the brakes are down, the brake-limit switches BLI to BL8 extinguish the top two red lights R, and illuminate the top two green lights G, indicating that the brakes are off.

During a jacking-operation, the two top pairs of lights are extinguished, by the actuation of the jack-station auxiliary relay XK, as already explained, and the bottom pair of indicator-lights R and G are placed in condition for operation. At first, however, only the jack-position green light G lights up, because the hydraulic jacks and the brake-shoes are at their lowermost positions contemplated in our apparatus, and the brake-limit switches BLI to 3L8 are closed.

When the jacking pushbutton JB-J is depressed, initiating oil-flow into the brake-cylinders, the brake-pistons begin to rise, and at the initial stages of this movement, as soon as one of the brake-limit switches BLI to BLB is opened, the green light G is extinguished, and the red light R is illuminated, in the jacking-indicating pair, which is the lowermost pair of the indicator-lights. The red indicator-light R thereupon remains lit, during the entire jacking-operation, regardless of the position of the rotormember; and the red jack-indicating light R does not go out again until the conclusion of the releasing-operation, after the rotor-member has been let down again so that its bearing-runner l rests on the thrust-bearing shoes 5, and after all of the brake-shoes have moved clear of the brake-ring H, and after the brake-shoes have actually reached the lowest position which is contemplated in our apparatus, at which time the closing of the eight brake-limit switches BLI to BLB extinguishes the red jack-indicating light and illuminates the green jack-indicating light.

When the workman is ready to leave the jacking station 31, he returns the key-controlled pushbutton KBJ to its off position, thus deenergizing the auxiliary jack-station relay XK, and extinguishing the green jack-indicating-light G, at the circuit 604B, and illuminating the two top green indicating-lights, as previously explained.

While we have shown our invention in a single illustrative form of embodiment, intended to be illustrative of the general principles of the invention, we wish it to be clearly understood that We are not limited to this precise arrangement of apparatus.

It is obvious, for example, that the equipment could be made either less automatic than it is, with more of the operations under manual control, or more completely automatic, with relaymeans for automatically carrying out the described sequences of operations, referring to both the operational sequences relating to the performance of the three essential operations of prelubricating, braking, and lacking, and also the operational control of the water-wheel generator itse f.

For example, while we have explained that the station-engineer would perform a prelubricating operation before starting his generator, and would start his generator within thirty minutes (or other prescribed time) after the completion of the prelubricating operation, we wish it to be understood that these operations could be performed either manually or automatically, or that a starting 02 19 the waterwheel ene'mter Eould be absolutely prevented, by interlocks, unless the brakes are released and unless theprelubricating operation has been completed within the past half-hour.

It is also obvious that asuitable time-switch (not shown) could lie-utilized forputting out'one or both o-f'the twotop greenllghts G if the sta- 'tion-engineer had not started the generator within the prescribedhalf-hour.

While we have shown a 'pushloutton type of control, utilizing tvvb positlon pushbuttons, it 'is'also obvious that we could utilize pushbuttons which are momentarily dehressed, not of the position-retaining "type, but with suitable Wellknown relay'helding-circuits for carryin through the presecribed automatic operations, once they are started; or'wemight not use pushbuttons at -all, using hand-operated'switches, instead.

We contemplate that theforegoing and-other Ghariges of 'suhstlt'dtion,foinission and addition anbemada'by those skilled in the art, without liebartihg'frbm the essntial'fatures of our inintion,in its broad'stasfiets. We desire, thereffirefthat the appended eiaims shau'be accorded the broadest constr'uetion consistent with their language.

"-We 'el aim asoiir invention:

1. A vertical-shaft rotating machine havin a stator-'niember and-"a 1nter=msmter; a thrustbearing, comprislng arunner carried by th rotorme'mher, a plurality of thrust-'b'earing shoes carried "by the stator-member ridensaging the runner forsupportlng the weightfthe'rotor member, and an QiI ch'amHer -ior oil in which "said thrust-bearing "shoes ahd at least the lower surface of said' riinner are immersedf' guide-bear'ln meansfor positioning thdrotor-meinber a braking and jacking meanspcomiirising a'brake rin'g earriedby the rotor-memberyan d aplural ty of hydraulic'jacks carried by the stator-membe and having brake-shoes, on'thelr tops, in and ition toengage said brake-ring in an elevate'dpo ition of said'jaoks;' an air-tight liquid reservoir for a liquid for operating said hydraulie jacksya airsupply means, and -associated air-piping, for supplying air te -said reservoir at arelati'vely low pressure 1 suitable -for braking said 'rotornrrmber but not surfieient-to lift said rotor-member said air-piping includingan= air-valve' which may be set to either supply air to said reservoir or to e'xhaust airirom' said reservoir-to the atmos tire; and at least three diffierent-liquid-concl ctifig piping-connections betweemsaisd reservoir and said hydraulic ijacks,- staid connections incltding: a. pump-connection including a *highepressure liquid-pump, and motive-means for saidqsum-p, operable, at times, to; supply liquid from 'said feservoir to; said hydraulic jacks at a pressure suf- 'ficient to lift said rotor-member so that/said runher is raised off of said thrust-bearing-sh aesy a slow-flow connectionproviding for only 2 slow liquid-flow suitable-for gently lowering said runner onto said thrust-hearing shoesafter a liftingoperation, said slow-flewwconnectien includinga valve; and a fast-flow connectionprovidingfor a; relatively fast liquid-flow and including valvemeans.

2. The invention as defined in claim l, in b'ination with means for, at times, provid' automatic liftingmperation in which liqui is at first supplied, at a relatively rapidrata'Irom lidL'liH isthen sup lied, at a rlativlwslbwrrate, "to "said hydraulic jacks, escmsaveiy through said pump-eonneetionxwith the'pump cper'ating, "was to raise said rotor me'mher.

3. Thei'nvent'ion as definedlwelaim L- characteiized by said iast flow valve-means being a check-valve "whih 'at'times 'ofieiates to 'chet'ek liqliid 'fiow "in the direction "from thehydlafilic acks to the reservoir,inmofribination with contrl-ilians fdr 'lt times'ballsitigsaid "lil 'vatlve to be set to-suplily" air to the reservoir; and alse'caiisgig the mdtive means for said pump tote-operted.

'4."The invention as defined in "claim'l, 'eharaeterize'd by saidiast-fiow valve-means being "a check-valve which "at times operates to check liqliid flow in tlie dlibtion from the hydraulic jaeks tb' the 'r'esefvoirfln cdnihination" with automatic'eli responsive controi means, 'operatlveiy effective -'Whe'nthe hy'dradlioj'aeks arenear' their iowermdsfl ositions, and-tasse operative-1 effective when the motive-means for the ump-separatingfforcausmg saidfa'st-iiow valve-means to operateas a'nornial theck-vaiva'and automatically responsive control-means, operativly e'ffectlve at 'ther times; for applying, to saidfast flow check- -valve, an unseating forcewhichis sufficient to open 'said 'cheek-valve against a liquid-pressure equivalent to the air pressure'but not'su'ificient to 'epe'n said Check valve against "a liquid-pressure high enough to "cause said 'fr'acks toraise said ftitr-Memltr.

5. I'lie in'v er'ition'as defined ln"claim1, in combinatidn vvith means" for/at times, providing an diitofnatic lbwi'itig -fipiatidn in which liquid is arm-st caused to"flow, at a relatively slow rate, fllfdugh Said SRJ'W -fiOW commotion, from said seeks twsard-reservc'lr, until the'liquidpressure in the j a e'ks' dre'ps below a value intermediate between the braking air-pressure and. therotorlifting oil-pressure, anwmwmeh liquidis then caused to new; at'arldtively' rapid rate, through satd fast-flow connection, from said jacks to said reservoir.

"6. Theinvntion asidefined in claim 1, chara-cterlzed'by saidslowfiowvaive and said fastfloW'valVe-means being "normally in'their closed positiona'meai'isiipfative, at 'tiines, to cause said sloWJlow valve tddrien'sohs to lower said 'ja'eks, and pressure-responsivem'eams,responsive to the liquid-pressure within said jacksfand operative-1y effective, 'at pressures helow 'a valueintermediate between the braking 'air pissfi'le and the rotorlifti-ng "oil-pressure, for causing 'said fast-how valve -means' to 152' dpenedand eausing said slowfiowwalvetobe'reclosed.

'7. The inventionas defindin'claim 1, characterized bysaid slow- 'flow valvdbeing normally in its olosedfpositlon' and" said fast-flow valvemeans beingarheck valve which" at times operates to check liquid flow'lin the direction from the hydraulicjaeks td the rservoir; in combination with automatically responsive controlmeans, operatively e'irbtive when the" hydraulic tacks are'near their iowermest lio'sltiohs, andalso operatlvely 'eflective wherftlie' motlve means for the pump is 'ob'eiattng for causing said 'fast flow valve -means' to operate as a normal check-valve, automatically responsive control-means, operatively effective at other times, for afifilying," to said fast-flow check-valvejalnunseating force which is sufficient to dpen said check-valve against a Medici-pressure equivaient to J the airp l 'essllre 'but not sumciem 'to open'said' checkvalve agamst *a. nqtld pressure "high enough to cause said jacks to raise said rotor-member, means operative, at times, to cause said slow-flow valve to open so as to lower said jacks, and pressure-responsive means, responsive to the liquidpressure Within said jacks, and operatively effective, at pressure below a value intermediate between the braking air-pressure and the rotorlifting oil-pressure, for causing said slow-flow valve to be closed if it was open, and for preventing said slow-flow valve from being opened if it is closed.

8. The invention as defined in claim 1, in combination with prelubricating means for establishing oil-films between the thrust-bearing shoes and the runner, preliminarily to starting the vertical-shaft rotating machine after a period of shutdown, said prelubricating means comprising a lift-operation control-means for providing an automatic lifting-operation in which liquid is at first supplied, at a relatively rapid rate, from said reservoir, under air-pressure, through said fast-flow connection, to said hydraulic jacks, until said brake-shoes are brought up substantially into engagement with said brake-ring, and in which liquid is then supplied, at a relatively slower rate, to said hydraulic jacks, exclusively through said pump-connection, with the pump operating, so as to raise said rotor-member; limit-means, associated with said lift-operation control-means, for limiting the amount by which the rotor-member can be lifted; and lowering means, associated with said lift-operation control-means, for providing an automatic lowering-operation in which liquid is at first caused to flow, at a relatively slow rate, through said tion, from said jacks to said reservoir, until the liquid-pressure in the jacks drops below a value intermediate between the braking air-pressure and the rotor-lifting oil-pressure, and in which rate, through said fast-flow connection, jacks to said reservoir.

9. The invention as defined in claim 1, in combination with prelubricating means for establishing oil-films between the thrust-bearing shoes and the runner, preliminarily to starting the vertical-shaft rotating machine after a, period of shutdown, said prelubricating means having a lift position and a "release position; said prelubricating means, in its "lift position, being operative to set up operating-conditions in which said slow-flow valve is closed, said air-valve is set to supply air to the reservoir, said motivemeans for the pump is in operation, and said fastflow valve-means is under such control as to at first permit liquid to flow through said valvemeans, during relatively low-pressure oi1-conditions, in the direction from said reservoir to said hydraulic jacks, until the brake-shoes are brought up substantially into engagement with the brakering, and then to prevent liquid from flowing through said valve-means in the reverse direction as the oil-pump develops an oil-pressure in excess of the air-pressure; limit-means for automatically stopping the motive-means for the pump in response to a predetermined lift of the rotor-member; and said prelubricating means, in its release position, being operative to set up which said motive-means for the pump is off, said air-valve is set to exhaust air from the reservoir, said slow-flow valve is under such control as to be open at first, while the rotor-member is slowly lowering, and then to be closed subsequent to the resting of the runner on the thrust-bearing shoes, and said fast-flow flow, at a relatively rapid tion with prelubricating means for oil-films between the thrust-bearing shoes and the runner, preliminarily to starting the verticalshaft rotating machine after a period of shutdown, said prclubricating means comprising a lift-operation control-means for causing said air-valve to be set to supply air to the reservoir, and also causing the motive-means for said pump to be operated, limit-means for automatically stopping the motive-means for the pump in response to a predetermined lift of the rotormember, lowerlng-means for causing said airvalve to be set to exhaust air from the reservoir, and also causing said slow-flow valve to open, and pressure-responsive means, responsive to the liquid-pressure within said jacks, and operatively eiTective, at pressures below a value intermediate between the braking air-pressure and the rotor-lifting oil-pressure, for causing said fast-flow valve-means to be opened and causing said slow-flow valve to be reclosed.

11. The invention as defined in claim 1, characterized by said slow-flow valve being normally in its closed position, and said fast-flow valvethe hydraulic jacks to the reservoir, in combination with automatically responsive controlmeans, operatively eifective when the hydraulic f jacks are near their lowermost positions, and also operatively effective when the motive-means for tween the thrust-bearing shoes and the runner, preliminarily to starting the vertical-shaft rotatfrom said reservoir, under air-pressure alone, through said fast-flow connection, to said hydraulic jacks.

25 valve-means is under such control as to at first permit liquid to flow through said valve-means, during relatively 1ow-pressure oil-conditions, in the direction from said reservoir to said hydraulic jacks, until the brake-shoes are brought up substantially into engagement with the brake ring, and then to prevent liquid from flowing through said Valve means in the reverse direction as the oil-pump develops an oil-pressure in excess of the air-pressure; said braking-operation control-means being efiective only when the speed of the rotor-member is less than a predetermined value intermediate between full speed and standstill; said brake-operation control-means having an "on position and an ofi position; said brake-operation control-means, in its on" position, being operative to set up operating-conditions in which the slow-flow valve is closed, the motive-means for the pump is off, the airvalve is set to supply air to the reservoir, and the fast-flow valve-means is under such control as to permit liquid-flow through said valve-means in the direction from the reservoir to the jacks; and said brake-operation control-means, in its "01? position, being operative to set up operating-conditions in which the slow-flow valve is closed, the motive-means for the pump is off, the air-valve is set to exhaust air from the reservoir, and the fast-flow valve-means is under such control as to permit liquid-flow through said valve-means in the releasing" direction from the jacks to the reservoir; said jack-operation control-means being eifective only when said rotor-member is substantially at, standstill, and

having a jack" controller and a release controller; said jack controller, in its on position, being operative to set up operating-conditions in which the motive-means for the pump is in operation; said jack controller, in its position, being operative to immediately stop the motive-means for the pump; limit-means for automatically stopping the motive-means for the pump in response to a predetermined lift of the rotor-member, in the liftingand jacking-operations, respectively; and said prelubricating means, in its release position, and said release controller, in its on position, being operative to set up operating-conditions in which said motive-means for the pump is off, said air-valve is set to exhaust air from the reservoir, said slow-flow valve is under such control as to be open at first, while the rotor-member is slowly lowering, and then to be closed subsequent to the resting of the runner on the thrust-bearing shoes, and said fast-flow valve-means is under such control as to at first prevent liquid-flow through said valve-means in the releasing direction from said jacks to said reservoir under the high-pressure conditions existing while the jacks are supporting the weight of the rotormember, and then to permit liquid-flow through said valve-means in said releasing direction subsequent to the resting or the runner on the thrust-bearing shoes.

18. The invention as defined in claim 1, characterized by said slow-flow valve being normally in its closed position, and said fast-flow means 26 being a check-valve which at times operates to check liquid-flow in the direction from the hydraulie jacks to the reservoir, in combination with automatically responsive control-means, operatively effective when the hydraulic jacks are near their lowermost positions, and also operatively effective when the motive-means for the pump is operating, for causing said fast-flow valvemeans to operate as a normal check-valve, automatically responsive control-means, operatively effective at other times, for applying to said fastilow check-valve, an unseating force which is suflicient to open said check-valve against a liquid-pressure equipment to the air-pressure but not sufficient to open said check-valve against a liquid-pressure high enough to cause said jacks to raise said rotor-member, three different control-means, for respectively controlling liftingoperations, braking-operations, and J'acking-operations, and interlocking-means whereby only one of said three different control-means may be effectively operated at a time; said liftingoperation control-means being a. prelubricating means for establishing oil-films between the thrust-bearing shoes and the runner, preliminarily to starting the vertical-shaft rotating ma chine after a period of shutdown, said prelubrieating means comprising a lift-operation control means for causing said air-valve to be set to supply air to the reservoir, and also causing the motive-means for said pump to be operated; said brake-operation control-means, in its on" position, being operative to cause said air-valve to be set to supply air to the reservoir, whereby liquid is supplied from said reservoir, under airpressure alone, through said fast-flow connection, to said hydraulic jacks; said brake-operation control-means, in its 0 position, being operative to cause said air-valve to be set to exhaust air from the reservoir; said jack-operation control-means having a. jack controller and a release controller, said "jack controller, in its on position, being operative to set up operating-conditions in which the motivemeans for the pump is in operation; said jack controller, in its off position, being operative to immediately stop the motive-means for the pump; limit-means for automatically stopping the motive-means for the pump in response to a predetermined lift of the rotor-member, in the liftingand jacking-operations, respectively; and said prelubricating means, in its release position, and said release controller, in its on position, being operative to cause said slow-flow valve to open so as to lower said jacks, and pressure-responsive means, responsive to the liquidpressure within said jacks, and operatively effective, at pressures below a value intermediate between the braking air-pressure and the rotorlifting oil-pressure, for causing said slow-flow valve to be closed if it was open, and for preventing said slow-flow valve from being opened if it is closed.

RENE A. BAUDRY. PAUL R. HELLER.

No references cited. 

